A group of mums campaigning to get a playground revamped have had their funds boosted by £35,000.

The Friends of Lovell Road is a group of eight mums which was set up last May to raise money to get the Lovell Road play area in Minster refurbished.

They hope to raise £100,000 to fit new football goals, benches, and equipment, and this new grant means they are half-way towards their target.

An environmental charity called Groundwork has announced that the play area has been made part of the Adventure of your Doorstep projects.

A grant of £35,000 has been awarded to the area from WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Limited) an organisation which awards grants to community projects.

The funding comes from environmental taxes paid by landfill operator Waste Recycling Group (WRG).

Groundwork Kent and Medway is aiming to develop the site to include natural elements of the landscape such as land forms, boulders, mounds and trees and bushes to encourage imaginative play.

It is also hoped this natural approach to the design will encourage wildlife.

Belinda Skinner, chairman of the Friends of Lovell Road, said: “We are absolutely over the moon about this grant.

“We are also hoping to put a new fence in with art boards up in the play area.”

Simon Green, executive director of Groundwork Kent and Medway, said: “The local friends group, Friends of Lovell Road, has been campaigning hard for improved play facilities, so we are delighted this project is able to go ahead.

“The new area will mean young people can enjoy being outdoors together, while exploring an exciting natural environment.”